Press freedom under attack, we fight back
Press freedom under attack, we fight back
May 3, 2021
By Altermidya
As the world commemorates World Press Freedom Day, the media community and freedom-loving Filipinos grieve the rapidly shrinking space for free expression and press freedom.
In the past year, the Filipino people have witnessed major attacks against the media, just to ensure that its own version of events will be reported. From shutting down ABS-CBN to attacking Rappler editor Maria Ressa, the administration’s message is as clear as day: when it comes to suppressing press freedom, there are no sacred cows except Duterte’s stalwarts.
This whole range of attacks meant that the alternative media community was not spared. Altermidya Network has recorded a total of 68 cases of press freedom violations since Duterte assumed power in 2016, ranging from threats and harassment, coverage restriction, illegal arrest and detention, up to attempted murder. In the early months of 2021 alone, red-tagging incidents against our community journalists – from the provinces in North Luzon to Iloilo City – abounded. The latest cases involve the arrest of two campus journalists, along with several activists, in Zambales and an attempted arrest of another campus journalist in Bicol. A former chapter chairperson of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines was ambushed yesterday, on the eve of World Press Freedom Day.
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